“Heart of the Beast”—Travis’ Review

The Plot: After a harrowing plane crash, a Special Forces officer & his combat dog find themselves both stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival!

Do Dogs Outshine Humans in Loyalty?

Oh, I will definitely say so after watching this film about Odin, a canine military special forces dog. The way this dog cared for James in the film was truly a tearjerker. Anyone who watches this film and does not shed a tear or even attempt to hold their tears back is not human to me. The dog in this film licked James’ face to wake him up and jumped into heavy waters to rescue him, and there was a poignant moment when he wrapped his paw around James’ back to signify his protection.

When you talk about 100% unconditional love and loyalty, that is Odin. I was amazed at how much he displayed compassion, love, fight, perseverance, and so much more with James throughout the film. At times, I had to remind myself that Odin is a dog and not a human being because of the things he did for James, which mirrored human behavior. A human might not lick someone else’s face, but when Odin did that, it conveyed his happiness to see James or relief that they both survived something they endured together.

Odin’s Spirit Shines Brightly

Odin’s loyalty was nothing short of extraordinary. His unwavering devotion is rooted in thousands of years of domestication, where dogs have evolved as pack animals relying on humans for sustenance, safety, and guidance. In the film, Odin’s bond with James is beautifully illustrated through his actions, which speak volumes about the profound connection between humans and dogs. Each moment showcases the remarkable loyalty and love that dogs can offer. Odin embodies the spirit of a true beast—loyal, fierce, and full of life. His fighter spirit shines through, revealing a depth of character that promises companionship and protection to anyone fortunate enough to encounter him.

An Enchanting Conclusion That Mirrors the Start

At the beginning of the film, we see Odin standing in the middle of a road when a woman pulls up in a blue truck. The narrative then rewinds to one week earlier. Personally, I find it frustrating when movies reveal the ending first and then backtrack to explain how we arrived there. This setup invites speculation about Odin’s intentions—whether he is going out to help James — and raises questions about potential danger. Will Odin attack or die? Who will meet their end? While this is an intriguing setup, I didn’t appreciate starting the film in this manner. However, it effectively fills in the gaps that viewers might expect to remain unanswered.